In the time of Web 3.0, where many journalists still seem to prefere their notepad and pencil over the computer and the internet for professional use, Facebook (among others) is a good platform to integrate and create groups and interaction. Hanging out on Facebook must lead to stories, is a quote that can be found in several places.

So why would Facebook need a journalist to be a journalist advocate? Why don’t reporters find Facebook? It has in a way the agility of Twitter in the perspective of speed – and at the same time, the functionality of LinkedIn with groups for special knowledge. And it is quite easy to connect with people. I just wonder why this should be brought under the attention of the professionals. I’m curious how you as a journalist think of Facebook. I like it for several purposes. Hanging out, hearing about new professional developments, to name one example. How do you think of this?

I bumped into an interesting discussion about Rockville Central being set to become a Facebook-only outlet. The managers of this website, a local community site, decided to manage Rockville Central entirely from Facebook. This was to avoid a duplication of work and most people who visited the site were mostly on Facebook anyway. Sounds logical. The whole platform is there: the posts for the news facts, the image and other media gallery, the facilities to comment, like and continue this way. The downside obviously should be that you don’t really control the technical side of it all and as mentioned, the conditions. I’m not sure if you can really manage an earning model on Facebook as well – perhaps it’s just about publishing.

Would you ever consider running your (community) site from Facebook (or LinkedIn, as you can create a group there as well) only? I’m curious to hear your opinion!